Navruz tour - Turkmenistan 2019

Celebrate old Persian New Year called Navruz (new day) in Turkmenistan! It's an unuqie chance to visit Navruz celebrations near Ashgabat city, get to know traditions, culture and feel the coming spring.

TOUR STARTING DATE:

18th MARCH 2019

18 March. Day 1

Ashgabat

Arrival in Ashgabat. Meeting, transfer to the hotel. Check-in after 13:00. Rest day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Return back to Dashoguz. Evening flight to Ashgabat and transfer to city.

20:30 return to hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

21 March. Day 4

Ashgabat

Breakfast in the hotel.

08:30 Departure from hotel lobby for full morning visit of Navruz celebrations near Ashgabat. it's unforgettable experience where you can observe turkmen traditions, culture and shows.

Afternoon visit of National Museum, where you can see more than 166 unique exposition from Ancient Merv and Nissa. A trip to ancient Nissa (18km from Ashgabad) that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the ruins of the ancient city (the date of foundation of the I millennium BC - I millennium BC).

18:00 return back to the hotel.

20:00 departure from hotel for city-by-night tour.

21:30 return to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

22 March. Day 5

Ashgabat - Darwaza - Ashgabat

Breakfast.

10:00 start excursion with visiting Sunday Bazaar "Tolkuchka" (secondhand market) which is famous for variety of goods. Stretching for a few kilometers along deserted suburbs of Ashgabat, bazaar attracts many tourists by opportunity to buy traditional Turkmen carpets.

Early afternoon departure by jeeps for after-dark trip to Darwaza (4-hour drive one way), with stop at local desert village on the way. BBQ dinner at Darwaza.

In 1971 geologists accidentally found an underground cavern filled with natural gas. The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of about 50-100 meters. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn the gas. Geologists had hoped the fire would go out in a few days but it has been burning ever since. Locals have named the cavern The Gate to Hell, and the sight of the crater at night indeed gives a somewhat spooky feel.

The views are most impressive in the dark, and an overnight stay in tents near the crater is a unique experience, especially when accompanied by a barbeque dinner. Midnight return to hotel. Overnight in hotel.